Ground switch



Nov. 26, 1929. c F. M CARTHY GROUND SWITCH Filed March 22, 1928 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI CE CHARLES F. MACCARTHY, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS GROUND SWITCH Application filed March 22, .1928.

dispensing with the necessity of employing an unsightly ground wire extending from the radio apparatus to a radiator or other ground, such as is the usual custom.

The invention further contemplates the positive grounding of the antenna while the radio apparatus is not in use, and will eliminate the need for any additional lightning switch or arrester. The prime object of this invention is to provide a switch mechanism adapted to be disposed within the wall of the building, wherein a pair of spring arms normally engage each other for the purpose of grounding the antenna.

Another object resides in the means employed whereby the insertion of a conventional tip end sleeve type of plug within this switch mechanism will connect the antenna with the radio apparatus, at the same time breaking the ground connection normally existing'.

A further object is presented by reason of the structure employed whereby the mechanism may be protectively supported within the wall of the building and readily accessible when it is desired to operate the radio apparatus.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is better understood from the following specification and claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 discloses a fragmentary sectional View of the wash boarding of a wall, the same showing the present invention in longitudinal sectional view, supported through an opening in the wash boarding, and

Figure 2 discloses a similar View, in partial sectional view, disclosing a conventional tip end sleeve type of plug, in inserted position for spreading the contact members apart.

Now for a more specific disclosure of this invention, reference is made to the drawings, whereinlike numerals designate like parts. For the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the present invention is adapted in use,

Serial No. 263,943.

the usual wash boarding A is shown in the drawings, with'this invention secured thereto. An elongated cylindrical shell '1 is closed atone end and provided with a circumferentially extending flange 2 at its opposite end. As is shown in the drawings, the wash boarding is formed with an opening, through whichthe shell 1 is adapted to project, while the flange 2 is secured to the outer face of this boarding -by suitable wood screws 3. A plate of in sulatingmaterial 4: is'secured with the flange, to the wash boarding, by the screws 3, while a face plate 5 is formed at its edge portion with an obliquely disposed flange .6. A

threaded bushing 7 is provided at its outer end with an enlarged polygonal head, said threaded bushing being threadable through openings in the cover .plate 5 and insulating plate 4.

The inner threaded end portion of this bushing is adapted to project through an opening in the short leg portion of an L- shaped bracket 8. The short leg portion of this bracket is formed with the opening at its edge portion for receiving a suitable securing member 10. A pair of spring arms -1111 are supported upon the elongated leg portion of the bracket 9 and insulated from said bracket and from each other by the blocks 12. secured to the bracket 9 by suitable members 13. One of said spring arms terminates in close spaced relation to the bushing 7, while the opposed arms terminate slightly inwardly from the extremity of the former. At this particular end of the respective arms, a V- shaped inwardly disposed offset 14 is formed. At a suitable point on the opposed faces of the arms, a contact block 15 is secured, and due to the normal spring tension of these arms, these blocks are maintained in contact engagement.

The opposite ends of the respective arms are connected by conductors 16, to binding posts 17 and 18 respectively, which binding posts are suitably insulated through the end of the shell 1.

In the use of this novel switch device, the shell is of course supported in the manner shown, with the antenna lead connected to the These blocks and spring arms are binding post 17. A suitable conductor connects the remaining binding post 18 to a positive ground. Obviously, when a plug, such as is designated by B in the drawings is in serted through the bushing 7 so that the tip thereof will engage the ofiset portion of the shorter arm, while the offset portion of the longer arm engages the sleeve portion thereof so as to cause the spacing of the contact block 15. This spacing of the contact obviously breaks the connection between the antenna and the ground and connects the antenna lead in through the plug to the radio apparatus.

While the preferred embodiment of this invention is disclosed in the drawing, such changes as may become necessary in the shape, size or material, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a switch support comprising a shell having one end open and being adapted for disposition within an opening in a supporting structure, the open end of said shell be ing adapted to project exteriorly of the supporting structure, a diametrically extending flange at the open end of the shell, means for securing said insulating material over the open end of the shell and with the flange to the supporting structure for retaining said shell in position, a cover plate for arrangement over said insulating material, said cover plate and the insulating material being formed with registering threaded openings, a switch supporting bracket for disposition within the shell, and a threaded bushing for disposition through the registering opening and to which one end of the bracket is attached.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES F.v MACcARTHY. 

